Dispensing mixing valve



Sept. 7, 1954 F. H. DEXTER DI'sPENsING MIXING VALVE Fiied May 11, 195oPatented Sept. 7, 1.954

UNITED STATES `PATENT oFFlcE DISPENSING MIXING VALVE Fred H. Dexter,Monrovia, Calif.

Application Mayr 11, 1950, Serial No. 161,385

8 Claims. l

My invention relates to a dispensing valve and has particularlreferenceto a valve adapted to mix and dispense carbonated beverages, and isparticularly useful in connection with carbonated and sweet waterbeverage dispensers such as the type illustrated in my copendingapplication Serial No. 88,651, filed April 20, 1949, for a Low PressureCarbonator.

In soft drink or carbonated beverage dispensers, it is highly desirablet mix a prepared syrup with carbonated water at the time of dispensing.It is therefore necessary to provide a valve which simultaneouslydispenses carbonated water and the desired avoring syrup through acommon orifice or chamber and in a turbulent manner so that a completeand thorough mixing occurs. It is therefore one of the objects of myinvention to provide a mixing valve for dispensing soft drink beverages,which is automatic in dispensing the proper amount of flavored syrupalong with the carbonated water, and which automatically meters theamount of syrup being introduced into the carbonated Water to produce adrink of the proper strength and consistency.

My invention can assume either one of two forms, that is, a slug typedispenser, or a continuous flow dispensing valve. By slug type, I meansa valve which, when turned on to dispense a carbonated beverage, Willpermit the dispensing of a measured quantity of syrup for each drink,and when the measured amount has been dispensed, no further syrup canflow therefrom.

This valve also insures a quality drink because when the supply of CO2is depleted,` the syrup valve will not openI thereby informing theoperator to replace the CO2 tank insuring the correct CO2 pressure inthe drink. Most other dispensers will continue to operate With CO2depleted from the carbonated water.

In large, busy, soft drink establishments, it is sometimes moreeconomical from the standpoint of time, for the operator to dispensedrinks by means of a continuous iiow from the mixing dispensing valve.It is therefore also among the objects of my invention, to provide acontinuous flow valve which meters a continuous flow of syrup dependentupon the volume of water being dispensed therefrom.

Most soft drink syrups or flavors are comparatively sticky, viscousfluids. .A valve used for the dispensing thereof must therefore befrequently cleaned. It is a further object of my invention to provide amixing valve for the dispensing of such drinks, which may be readilydisassembled by an inexperienced operator in order to clean the same.

Other and further objects and advantages will become apparent from thedrawings and specifications relative thereto.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a sectional side elevation of a mixing dispensing valve ofthe slug type embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure l, showing the same valve in openoperating position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation of a continuous flow valveembodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 4, showingthe continuous Iiow valve in open operating position.

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5.

In the following description of my invention, I will rst describe mea-nsfor opening and controlling the flow of carbonated water and syrup intothe mixing chamber and through the Valve, which said means is common toboth the slug type and continuous flow dispensing valves. Reference willthen be made to mechanism for obtaining the slug dispensing andcontinuous iiow dispensing.

The valves include a cylindrical housing I0 having a partition ordiaphragm II disposed therein, thereby dividing the interior of thehousing I0 into chambers I2 and I3. A nozzle I4 having a restrictedopening I5 is secured to the lower end of the housing I0 by any suitablemeans and contains an O-ring gasket I6. The wall of the nozzle I4 is ofsuiicient thickness that when placed inside the shell IU as illustratedla shoulder Il is defined.

The housing I0 and diaphragm Il are formed with a boreZ threaded at itsouter end to receive a water supply pipe 2 I.

The diaphragm I I is also formed with a threaded radial bore 22 and abore 23 communicating between the bore 22 and the bore 2U. The innerextremity of the bore 22 is formed with a peripheral flange 24 which, aswill be seen, acts as a valve seat. A valve housing 25 is in threadedengagement with the bore 22 and is formed with a bore 2l which isadapted to receive a plunger 28.

The plunger 2B has a resilient valve face 29 and an O-ring packing 3Dand is urged into engagement with the valve seat 24 by means of a coilspring 3 l. A handle 32 is threadedly engaged in the end of the plunger28 so that the operator may grasp the handle 32 and pull the plungeroutwardly to thereby open communication from the water pipe 2l to theinterior of the bore 22.

A bore 33 communicates between the bore 22 and the under surface of thediaphragm II.

A valve member designated generally 35 is slidably disposed in thechamber I2 and is biased in an upward direction by means of a coilspring 36. A snap ring 3l is disposed adjacent the lower end of thehousing I2 against which the spring 36 abuts. The Valve member 35 isformed with a cylindrical valve portion 38 and a valve 39.

The diaphragm II is formed with a cylindrical valve seat 4I adapted to twithin the valve portion 38 with suiciently small clearance to preventthe natural flow of iiuids therethrough. A irictionally retained,removable sleeve 42 is disposed inside the valve seat 4I. The sleeve 42is intended to eliminate turbulence in the flow of carbonated water andsyrup as much as possible so that such drinks as Coca-Cola may bedispensed without excessive foaming or the creation of a head In otherdrinks, such as root beer, it is desirable to create a head The sleeve42 would therefore be removed for such drinks.

The diaphragm I I is also formed with an axial bore fili through whichextends a hollow valve stem 45. The valve stem 45 is slidably engagedover an axial boss 45 which acts as a guide for the valve 4i?. rlhe bore44 communicates between the chambers I3 and I2. The bore 44 is alsoformed with a valve seat 4l' against which the valve 39 is adapted toseat to shut off the flow of syrup from the chamber I3 through the bore44 into the dispensing chamber I2.

The valve stem 45 is formed with a threaded section 45a which receivesin threaded engagement a metering `plug 48. Vertical positioning of theplug it by means of the threaded engagement changes the clearancebetween a face 49 of the plug It and a seat 53 concentric with the bore44 and therefore controls the rate of ow of the relatively viscous syruptrapped inthe chamber i3.

4Vihe valve stem 45 is provided with a valve plate r having guides 53and adapted to seat against a valve face 54 forming a part of the-upperend of the body i5.

Upon raising the valve member 35'to a closed position, the valve 39seats against-the valvefface 4l and contacts the lower endof thestem'45, urging it upwardly tothereby permit the -syrup to iiow into thechamber I3, whic-hgthus contains a measured or predetermined slug ofsyrup.4

Upon urging the plunger 28outwardly, communication is establishedbetween the conduit 2li and the upper surface of the annular valvemember 35. Pressure of the water urgesl the valve member S5 downwardlyagainst the bias of spring 39 to open confimunication-into' thedispensing chamber I2 and to open communication between the chamber I3and. the dispensing chamber so that the carbonated Water` and syrup willbe simultaneously dispensed.

kUpon the downward movement of the valve 39, the stem 45 is permitted todrop downwardly" so that the valve plate 52 closes the upper end of thechamber I3 so that syrup contained in a syrup tray shown partially as55, will be shut off, to thereby limit the size of the slug of syrupwhich can be dispensed in a given drink to that" quantity contained inthe chamber I3'.

The continuous iiow type valve is shown' in Figures and 5. Theautomaticow valve'arrangement is identical with the slug'type previouslydescribed and similar numerals indicate 4 similar parts. The lprincipaldierence lies in the elimination of the valve stem 45, metering valve 43and the valve plate 52, and the substitution therefor of a continuousflow valve.

The continuous ow valve comprises a stationary plate S5 gravitationallydisposed in sealing engagement with the valve face 54 of the housingEil. The plate G5 is formed with an axial bore 5t through which isdisposed a tube 6l. The tube 5l is formed with a diaphragm 68 adjacentthe lower end thereof and With a plurality of apertures 69 positionedabove the diaphragm 58. Syrup iowing from the tray 56 may traveldownwardly through the tube 61 and out the apertures 6! into the chamberI3.

The tube 'I is also formed with apertures 'II positioned below thediaphragm 58. An orice plate I2 is disposed in the end of the tube 51,and has an orifice 13" formed therein. Fluid, therefore, contained inthe chamber I 3, may now downwardly into the dispensing chamber I2through the apertures 'II and the orifice 'I3 and through open seatv 4lwhen the valve 39 is in open position.

It should be understood that the restriction of the oriiice 'I3 isgreater than the restriction of the apertures 59 and "II, so that unlessotherwise restricted, syrup may iiow into the chamber I3 faster than itcan iioW out'the orice 13.

A iiow control oat valve is provided, which comprises a sleeve I5disposed circumfcrentially around the tube 6l for free slidingengagement and is formed with apertures 'I6 adapted to register with theapertures 69 when the float valve is in a down position.

A iloat 8G is secured to the sleeve l5; as the chamber I3 fills withsyrup, the float 80 raises the sleeve I5 so that the apertures 'I6 nolonger register with the apertures E9 to thereby control the rate offlow of iluid or syrup through the tube 61 into the dispensing chamberI2. A conetant head is therefore maintained at all times in the chamberI3 so that .the rate offlow through the orifice I3 is constant.

A vent tube 8I extends upwardly from the plate 65 to permit the escapeor return of air into the chamber I3 during dispensing or refillingoperations. It will be understood that'the tube l8| extends upwardlyabove the surface of the syrup in the tray 55, andl that the operatorneed only grasp the tube 8| and lift upwardly in order to remove theconstant flow valve assembly for cleaning purposes. It is not evennecessary to remove the syrup from the tray.

The float El! is formedwith a downwardly directed annular skirt a whichacts as a lstop to prevent closing of the aperture 'II by the sleeve 15.While Ihave herein shown and described. my invention in what I haveconceived to be the .most practical and preferred embodiment, itisrecognized thatv departures may be made therefrom within the scope ofmy invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosedherein, but

is to be accordedthe full scope of 'the claimsso as to embrace any-'andallequivalentdevices.4

Having thus described my. invention, what I claim .asnewand` desire-tosecure by Letters Patent is:y

l; A valve Vforl mixing and-'dispensing carbonated drinks orthelilre,comprising a' housing having a diaphragm dividing said housing intosyrup `and mixing chambers, valve controlld'inlet `m'e'aris foradmitting' carbonatedwater under pressure into said mixing chamber, saiddiaphragm being formed with an axially disposed aperture defining acommunication between the said syrup and mixing chambers and adownwardly directed concentric annular flange, valve means movablebetween open and closed positions reciprocally 'disposed in said mixingchamber and responsive to the pressure of said carbonated water to openor close the said communication between the syrup and mixing chambers,discharge means from said mixing chamber, said syrup chamber having anopening to communicate with a source of syrup, and a second valve meansresponsive to the position of said rst valve means to open communicationwith said syrup supply when said rst valve means is in closed positionand to close said communication when said rst valve is in open position,said second valve means comprising a valve plate positioned to controlsaid opening and having a downwardly direct stem adapted to abutagainsty said rst valve means and to move cooperatively therewith.

2. A valve for mixing and dispensing carbonated drinks or the like,comprising a housing having a diaphragm dividing said housing into syrupand mixing chambers, valve controlled inlet means for admittingcarbonated water under pressure into said mixing chamber, said diaphragmbeing formed with an axially disposed aperture dening a communicationbetween the said syrup and mixing chambers and a downwardly directedconcentric annular flange, valve means movable between open and closedpositions reciprocally disposed in said mixing chamber and responsive tothe pressure of said carbonated water to open or close the saidcommunication between the syrup and mixing chambers, discharge meansfrom said mixing chamber, said syrup chamber having an opening tocommunicate with a source of syrup, a second valve means responsive tothe position of said rst valve means to open communication with'saidsyrup supply when said rst valve means is in closed position and toclose said communication when said first valve is in open position, saidsecond valve means comprising a valve plate positioned to control saidopening and having a downwardly directed `stem adapted to abut againstsaid rst valve means, and a metering plug in threaded engagement withsaid stem positioned adjacent said diaphragm aperture to adjustablymeter the ow of syrup therethrough.

3. A valve for mixing and dispensing carbonated drinks or the like,comprising a cylindrical housing having a diaphragm dividing saidhousing into upper and lower chambers, valve controlled inlet means foradmitting carbonated water under pressure into said lower chamber,second inlet means for supplying syrup to said upper chamber, saiddiaphragm being formed with an axially disposed aperture dening acommunication between the said upper and lower chambers and a downwardlydirected concentric annular ange, an annular skirt disposed infrictional engagement with said annular flange and extending downwardlytherefrom to control turbulence of water iiowing through the valve,valve means having an annular upwardly directed shoulder, reciprocallydisposed in said lower chamber responsive to the pressure of saidcarbonated water against said shoulder to open or close the saidcommunication between the syrup I and mixing chambers, discharge meansfrom said mixing chamber, said syrup chamber having an opening tocommunicate with a source of syrup.

a second valve means responsive to the position of said first valvemeans to open communication with said syrup supply when said rst valvemeans is in closed position and to close said communication when saidrst valve is in open position, said second valve means comprising avalve plate positioned to control said opening and having a downwardlydirected stem adapted to abut against said rst valve means, and ametering plug in threaded engagement with said stem positioned adjacentsaid diaphragm aperture to adjustably meter the ow of syruptherethrough.

4. A valve for mixing and dispensing carbonated drinks, comprising ahousing having a diaphragm dividing said housing into syrup and mixingchambers, inlet means for admitting carbonated water under pressure intosaid mixing chamber, said diaphragm being formed with an axiallydisposed aperture defining a communication between the said mixing andsyrup chambers, valve means reciprocally disposed in said mixing chamberresponsive to the pressure of said carbonated water to open or close thesaid communication between the syrup and mixing chambers, dischargemeans from said lower chamber, a tube extending upwardly from saiddiaphragm, through said syrup chamber and being in open communication atits upper end with a source of syrup, said tube being formed with ametering orice at its lower end in communication with said diaphragmaperture, a second diaphragm disposed in spaced relation above saidmetering orice, and radial apertures above and below said seconddiaphragm, a sleeve valve slidably disposed concentric with said tubeand being adapted to control the flow of syrup through the aperturesabove said second diaphragm, and a oat secured thereto, responsive tothe level of iluid in said upper chamber adapted to position said sleevevalve on said tube to control the ow of syrup into said syrup chamber.

5. A valve for mixing and dispensing carbonated drinks or the like,comprising a housing having a diaphragm dividing said housing into syrupand mixing chambers, valve controlled inlet means for admittingcarbonated water under pressure into said mixing chamber, said diaiphragm being formed with an axially disposed aperture dening acommunication between the said syrup and mixing chambers and adownwardly directed concentric annular ange, an annular skirt inremovable frictional engagement with the interior of said flange andextending downwardly therefrom to control turbulence of carbonateddrinks being dispensed, valve means reciprocally disposed in said mixingchamber responsive to the pressure of said carbonated water to open orclose the said communication between the syrup and mixing chambers,discharge means from said lower chamber, a tube extending upwardly fromsaid diaphragm, through said syrup chamber and being in opencommunication at its upper end with a source of syrup supply, said tubebeing formed with a metering orice at its lower end in communicationwith said diaphragm aperture, a second diaphragm disposed in spacedrelation above said metering orice, and radial apertures above Yandbelow said diaphragm, a sleeve valve slidably disposed concentric withsaid tube and being adapted to control the Ilow of syrup through theapertures above said second diaphragm, and a iioat secured thereto,responsive to the level of iiuid in said upper chamber adapted toposition said sleeve valve.

6. A mixing valve comprising in combination,

a=housing forming a mixing chamber closed at one'l end by a partition,said partition havinga bore therethrough, the side of said partitionopposite said chamber'being adapted to receive-rst fluid, saidbore'providing a passage for said first fluid through said partitioninto said chamber, apiston slidably mounted in said chamber, a valvecarried by said piston adapted to selectively open and close said boretothe passage of first fluid in accordance with movement of said piston,bias means urging said piston toward said partition thereby to urge saidvalveinto boreclosing position, and means for admitting second iiuid tothe face of said piston facing said partition, whereby pressure of saidsecond uid moves said-piston againstV the bias, thereby to open saidboreandadmit rst fluid into said mixing chamber.

'7. A mixing Valve comprising in combination a'lhousing formingv amixing chamber closedfat one end by a partition, said partition having'abore therethrough, the side of said partition opposite said chamberbeing adapted izo-receive first fluid, said bore providing apassage'for` said first fluid through said `partition into said chamber,a piston slidably mounted in said chamber, a valve carried by saidpiston adapted to selectively open and close said bore to the passage offirst fluid in accordance with movement of said piston, bias meansurging said piston toward said partition thereby to urge said valve intobore-closing position, means for admitting second fluid to the face ofsaid piston facing said partition, whereby pressure of said second fluidmoves said piston against the bias, thereby to open said bore and admitlirst uid into said mixing chamber, passage means communicating betweensaid piston face and said mixing chamber to pass second iiuid into saidymixing cham- 8i ber, andY discharge means from said mixing chambereffective to discharge from said mixing chamber a mixture of saidrfluidswhen second fluid pressure Visfapplied to -said piston face.

8. Incombination in a mixing valve, a housing-V forming a mixing chamberclosed at the top by a partition and having a discharge opening at thebottom to emit a mixture of carbonated'water. and syrup, said partitionhaving a bore therethrough, means for containing syrup against the uppersurface of said partition, said bore providing a passage for syrup intosaid mixing chamber, a cylindrical flange depending from said partitioninto said chamber circunijacent the axis-of said bore, a piston havingan annular portion reciprocablev in the annular space between saidn-ange and said housing and having a central portion forming a valveadapted to close said borewhen said piston is 1n its upper position,auspring urging-,said piston upwardly therebyto bias said valve toclosed position, and passage `means in said partition communicating withsaid annular. space andadapted to supply carbonated water under pressureto said annular space thereby to'depress said piston against the bias,toa point where said annular portion is below said flange, therebyadmitting carbonated water to Said mixing chamber there to mix withsyrup, 'admittedI toy said mixing chamber upon opening of said bore bythe depression of said piston.

References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1;630,695" England' May 31, 1927 2,453,004 Engstrom Nov. 2,1948 2,537,119" Bauerlien` Jan. 9, 1951

